Harry James, Builder

Explore the remnants of the Old Market Square at La Carafe, where they have a reasonably priced wine bar where anyone can enjoy a mellow atmosphere, a nice wine selection, and good company with interesting people. The dim lights are coupled with arguably the best jukebox in town, ringing tunes from jazz and oldies to the cool sounds of Bob Marley. The bar takes as much space as the area for customers, but that doesn’t stop those wanting to come in and relax a bit, even if it means cozying up to a stranger on a crowded Saturday night.

The Holocaust Museum Houston begins with a look at life before the Holocaust and the beginning of Nazism. The exhibit then shows its insidious progression from segregation to imprisonment to extermination. Artifacts, film reels, photographs, and text panels tell the story and set the backdrop for personal accounts from local survivors. Among the many items on display is a World War II Holocaust railcar that carried millions of Jews to concentration camps and a Danish rescue boat that saved thousands of Jews from the hands of Nazi Germany. The museum is an ever-evolving, living museum that includes a permanent exhibit and temporary exhibits on loan from other Holocaust Museums around the country. Many who have visited here, survivors, adults, and schoolchildren, have left notes, poems, artwork, and gifts to express their feelings upon seeing the exhibits.

Grab some cold water, ice cream, and milk and get ready as you boldly go where many have dared to go, the Hops N Hot Sauce Festival, where hot sauces, salsas, peppers, spices, chili mixes, wing sauces, and all things hot and mild are waiting for you to taste. Participate in the Hot Pepper Eating Contest, enjoy the free photo booth, taste samples of spicy foods, drink fresh craft beer, enter the Pickle Eating Contest, and enjoy free giveaways and free face painting fun.

Visit Houston's spiritual landmark, the Rothko Chapel, a sacred space open to all to inspire people to take action through art and contemplation, and nurture reverence for the highest aspirations of humanity, and to provide a forum for global concerns. This non-denominational sanctuary is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, an honor awarded before the institution was fifty years old.